Paul McCann: SSR Season Finale and a Look at Potential Pred UFA Targets

Williams and Bonino. Make it happen, Poile..

Bonino or Hanzel would fill a void. But still need a winger to replace Neal.

For the life of me, I can't understand why Vrbata generates so little interest every Summer. He's not the sexiest free agent, but he's so consistent. I'd love for Poile to try to sign him. In fact, I'd love to have Thornton centering Vrbata on the 2nd line. They're both old, but they still have it and they'd likely take short deals (Thornton wants 3 years, supposedly, and Vrbata always signs 1- or 2-year deals), which makes me feel better than giving out the kind of longer deals that Bonino and Hanzel may be looking for. It's those long-term free agency deals that are a little scary and usually end up weighing you down in the later years.

For the life of me, I can't understand why Vrbata generates so little interest every Summer. He's not the sexiest free agent, but he's so consistent. I'd love for Poile to try to sign him. In fact, I'd love to have Thornton centering Vrbata on the 2nd line. They're both old, but they still have it and they'd likely take short deals (Thornton wants 3 years, supposedly, and Vrbata always signs 1- or 2-year deals), which makes me feel better than giving out the kind of longer deals that Bonino and Hanzel may be looking for. It's those long-term free agency deals that are a little scary and usually end up weighing you down in the later years.
- Osprey

I would take Vrbata on a short term deal. I agree, every summer I hope Poile signs him for some scoring depth.

I would pass on Joe at 3 years

I would pass on Joe at 3 years
- jl639s

I think that I'd be OK with Thornton at 3 years because his cap hit (3M-ish or so, I've read speculated) won't be so great that enduring it for year 3 would be that much of burden. He also should at least still be serviceable as a 3C at that point, which would offset it. Finally, he could just retire by them. If he were a luxury, I'd be hesitant, too, but this team needs a 2C of his caliber so badly that I think that the rewards outweigh the risk that comes with a 3rd year. You never know... he could be one of those freaks of nature like Jagr or Brind'Amour who's still effective at 40. Knowing, at his current age, that he wants a contract until he's 41 suggests that he thinks that he can play for at least a couple more seasons and is determined to.

Every over the hill hockey player with a big ego like Thornton "thinks" they can keep playing...especially when you pay (waste) millions of dollars on them. Players over the age of 35 should come with a stamp on their forehead that says "I'm not worth the risk". For every one Jagr, there's hundred's of non-Jagrs. Then when he so called 'retires", you're still stuck with his cap hit, because you were stupid enough to sign a guy past the age of 35. (ask Detroit about Datsyuk). The most you risk on "Big Joe" is a million tops. He needs you, more than you need him. He's never won a championship, and there's a reason why. He can't get it done. What makes you think he's going to be better than any prior season, when he's a year older, slower, and coming off a knee operation?! Your GM should be holding up a wood cross his way every time he's mentioned. Again, you dump Subban, to free up the money to go get a guy like Duchene (before Pittsburgh gets him) who can skate with the guys you have in the fold. Thornton?....no way.

Every over the hill hockey player with a big ego like Thornton "thinks" they can keep playing...especially when you pay (waste) millions of dollars on them. Players over the age of 35 should come with a stamp on their forehead that says "I'm not worth the risk". For every one Jagr, there's hundred's of non-Jagrs. Then when he so called 'retires", you're still stuck with his cap hit, because you were stupid enough to sign a guy past the age of 35. (ask Detroit about Datsyuk). The most you risk on "Big Joe" is a million tops. He needs you, more than you need him. He's never won a championship, and there's a reason why. He can't get it done. What makes you think he's going to be better than any prior season, when he's a year older, slower, and coming off a knee operation?! Your GM should be holding up a wood cross his way every time he's mentioned. Again, you dump Subban, to free up the money to go get a guy like Duchene (before Pittsburgh gets him) who can skate with the guys you have in the fold. Thornton?....no way.
- gk911

We don't need to dump Subban to have money for Duchene. We aren't the ones in cap trouble.

Every over the hill hockey player with a big ego like Thornton "thinks" they can keep playing...especially when you pay (waste) millions of dollars on them. Players over the age of 35 should come with a stamp on their forehead that says "I'm not worth the risk". For every one Jagr, there's hundred's of non-Jagrs. Then when he so called 'retires", you're still stuck with his cap hit, because you were stupid enough to sign a guy past the age of 35. (ask Detroit about Datsyuk). The most you risk on "Big Joe" is a million tops. He needs you, more than you need him. He's never won a championship, and there's a reason why. He can't get it done. What makes you think he's going to be better than any prior season, when he's a year older, slower, and coming off a knee operation?! Your GM should be holding up a wood cross his way every time he's mentioned. Again, you dump Subban, to free up the money to go get a guy like Duchene (before Pittsburgh gets him) who can skate with the guys you have in the fold. Thornton?....no way.
- gk911

That's like saying the Hawks should dump Toews contract to make room for Duchene. Also, the Preds have plenty of cap space, it's not about money, its about he is under contract with another team and the asking price is to high

Every over the hill hockey player with a big ego like Thornton "thinks" they can keep playing...especially when you pay (waste) millions of dollars on them. Players over the age of 35 should come with a stamp on their forehead that says "I'm not worth the risk". For every one Jagr, there's hundred's of non-Jagrs. Then when he so called 'retires", you're still stuck with his cap hit, because you were stupid enough to sign a guy past the age of 35. (ask Detroit about Datsyuk). The most you risk on "Big Joe" is a million tops. He needs you, more than you need him. He's never won a championship, and there's a reason why. He can't get it done. What makes you think he's going to be better than any prior season, when he's a year older, slower, and coming off a knee operation?! Your GM should be holding up a wood cross his way every time he's mentioned. Again, you dump Subban, to free up the money to go get a guy like Duchene (before Pittsburgh gets him) who can skate with the guys you have in the fold. Thornton?....no way.
- gk911

I'm sure that the Preds could get out of it some way. Ask Chicago about Hossa.

That's great if you can keep PK's inflated contract and still land Duchene. I just assumed if Preds had a bunch of UFA/RFA it would get tight, and he clearly would be where you would look first. He's a good player, a good 5 million player. but he's replaceable, that's for sure. Preds need to somehow land a few more forwards to get over the hump and to land a Cup. I don't disagree with your comments about Hawks. We may very well be/become the poster child for bad contracts for many more years. But that's OK, when you can look back and see the run we had for 6 years, which included the 3 Cups, most storied time in franchise history, but our time has passed, and now new blood to rise to top (Preds). Amazing we got 3, with two rebuilds and cap issues. We also littered the NHL with 1st and 2nd line players. As for contract, Bowman sold the farm for Johnny/Kane, for a "job well done" contract instead of realizing how many miles are on those guys, especially Johnny. Many deep runs, two Olympics, etc. They're still under 30, but 11 years in the league at high level takes it's toll. And the "home town discount" was BS. Hometown discount would have been in the 8 mil range, ala Stamkos. Hossa's ridiculous contract was actually Tallon, not Bowman, but it certainly is/was bad, but at least he helped get 3 rings; Bowman must have been drinking super heavy when he gave Seabrook his contract, which is probably the worst of all. Preds went around him like he was a frickin' pylon, and was embarrassing. He too, says "I got a lot of good hockey left in me"....uh...no you don't, you have some mediocre hockey left in you, at best. And we have to watch it for.. 7 more years?!..